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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Does Vonnegut believe that most civilians can be considered a "well-regulated militia?"
(a) Not unless they are recruited, led, motivated, or restrained by anything but their own perceptions.
(b) Only those civilians who pass a test should be considered part of a militia.
(c) Only men can be part of a militia.
(d) Most civilians can be considered a "well-regulated militia."

2. Why does the general at the ROTC inspection write down Vonnegut's name, which seems to lead to Vonnegut never rising above Private First Class?
(a) Vonnegut plays a practical joke.
(b) Vonnegut argues with the general.
(c) The general thinks Vonnegut is not a good soldier.
(d) Vonnegut arrives late to the inspection.

3. Who is the model for Vonnegut's Bill Pilgrim in SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE?
(a) Bishop Moore.
(b) Jack Spratt.
(c) Jane Seymour.
(d) Joe Crone.

4. The Vonnegut family expects its family members to go out east to college. Where does the author's dad, Kurt Vonnegut Sr., go to college?
(a) UCLA.
(b) Harvard.
(c) MIT.
(d) NYU.

5. Why can Vonnegut not get married at an Episcopalian church?
(a) Vonnegut is divorced.
(b) His wife is not Episcopalian.
(c) He is not a Christian.
(d) Vonnegut already has children.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Vonnegut's opinion of Charlton Heston's commercials advocating that civilians keep military weapons?

2. Why do psychiatrists believe Mark is a misdiagnosed depressive?

3. What does Vonnegut believe about professional artists' opinions on vocal third parties, such as critics, curators, and collectors?

4. What does Vonnegut's late grandfather, Bernard, whom Vonnegut never meets, scorn?

5. In Fates Worse Than Death, humorist Kurt Vonnegut examines the blindness of the American people to the hypocrisy of what administration?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Vonnegut's opinion of liberty?

2. Vonnegut says children relate to the Universe as a one-on-one playmate. What profession does the same? When would members of this profession no longer play this way?

3. How is Father's reaction to praise for his artwork different from his daughter's?

4. How does Jill embody the Women's Liberation Movement? How does this attitude toward life make her a better person?

5. What are two characteristics of Jackson Pollock's work?

6. A unicorn, it is said, will lay its head in a maiden's lap if she sits in a forest clearing. Why is Vonnegut's sister, Alice, the maiden to Father's unicorn?

7. Describe Vonnegut's experiences at Lake Maxincuckee.

8. The 20th century is the first to get reliable information about the human condition. Why does Vonnegut believe that this could be a bad thing?

9. What does Hemingway share with Vonnegut?

10. Name one similarity and one difference between Jane and Vonnegut.

(see the answer keys)

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